[url=https://www.bungie.net/en/Forum/Post/246624086/0/0]Table of Contents[/url] [i]Hayden stood on his toes, peeking over the windowsill to watch the house across the street. It’s blue door had opened twice that morning: first to let in Doctor Markos, and again when Mr.Durow left. “Hayden, what are you lookin’ at?” His mother asked as she entered the room. “Ru’s house,” Alexei answered, leaning back in his armchair with a strained sigh, “He saw Natalia last night.” “He-“ Mrs.Yegorov’s eyes darted back and forth from her husband to her son, “He saw her? Ru let him?” “No,” Alexei sighed, “She was asleep. Hayden snuck into her room.” “What happened?” Mrs.Yegorov grilled. “We left,” Alexei grunted, “He asked me to tell Hayden…what he needed to know.” “What he needed to-“ Mrs.Yegorov repeated, suddenly outraged, “No! Light strike me down if I have to lie to my son because that stubborn oaf thinks it’s okay to lock a girl in her room all her life because he thinks-!“ “Gwen,” Alexei interrupted, indicating Hayden with a wave of his hand, “It’s okay. He’s just a kid.” Gwen chewed at her lip, crossing her arms, then gave in, “Fine. But I’m gonna give that man a piece o’ my mind.” “Thanks, hon,” Alexei smiled graciously then looked to their son, who had been watching quietly, “Sorry ‘bout that, kiddo. So, about that girl last night.” “Who is she?” Hayden asked. “Her name’s Natalia,” Gwen answered, “She’s Ru’s daughter.” Hayden left the window and sat on their old couch attentively, “I didn’t know he had a girl.” “He doesn’t want people to know,” Alexei said, “He doesn’t let her leave the house.” “Why?” Hayden pressed. “Because he’s a selfish, thoughtless, idiotic…“ Gwen grumbled. “He’s overprotective,” Alexei corrected, standing and coming to sit next to his son as he continued, “Natalia was named after her mother, Ru’s wife. She died when Natalia was a baby. Ru keeps Natalia in his house. He thinks he’s protectin’ her.” Gwen huffed, “More like ruinin’ her life-“ “Honey,” Alexei scolded softly. “What’s he protectin’ her from?” Hayden inquired. “Uh,” Alexei thought. “Absolutely nothing!” Gwen hissed. Alexei nodded in agreement, “Bad people, I suppose, or maybe diseases. He’s just really scared.” He wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulders, “He wants to protect his kid.” He looked pointedly at his wife, “Parents are like that. We don’t want our kids gettin’ hurt. Ru is just…overdoing it.” “Been tryin’ to set him straight for years,” Gwen grumbled. Alexei held up a finger, lighting up with an idea, “You know what? I think this might be the perfect chance.” “For what?” Hayden asked. Alexei smiled down at his son, “How would you like to meet Natalia?” • • • “Let ‘im over!” Gwen persisted, “It’d be good for her.” “You don’t know what’s good for her!” Ru hissed back, barely maintaining a whisper, “She’s [/i]my[i] daughter. I know what’s best for her.” “You can’t just keep her locked away the rest of her life!” Gwen argued. “It’s safe!” Ru countered. “It’s not right!” Gwen snapped. “Forget leavin’ the house,” Alexei said, resting a hand on his wife’s shoulder, “For now. Jus’ let Hayden over. She needs to meet people.” “She already sees people,” Ru countered. “We don’t count,” Alexei refuted, “Markos doesn’t count. Layne doesn’t count. We’re adults. Babysitters. She needs friends. Someone to play with.” “Other kids’ll tempt her to leave the house.” “She’d be tempted anyway,” Alexei countered, “This kinda thing is like puttin’ sweets on a high shelf. They see it an’ they’ve gotta get it, even if they take down the whole shelf.” “And what about her mother?” Gwen grilled, “Nat wouldn’t want this. She wasn’t locked away.” “AND SHE’S DEAD BECAUSE OF IT!” Ru shouted. “You know that’s not what killed her!” Gwen shot back. Ru didn’t have a retort, and he rubbed at his eyes as they began to water. “Everyone dies, Ru,” Alexei soothed, “It’s a messed up world out here. But Nat had us. She had you. She was happy, wasn’t she? What about your daughter? Is she happy? Who has she got when we’re old an’ dead?” Ru’s resolve faltered, and Alexei pressed his advantage, “You want her to be happy, don’t you? That won’t happen if she spends her life alone in her bedroom.” Ru stared down at his boots for a minute. “Fine,” he sniffed, throwing up his hands in surrender. “Great,” Alexei smiled, grabbing Ru by the shoulders and pushing him to the door. “What?” “C’mon,” Alexei urged, “We’re doin’ it now. Before you change your mind.” “But-“ “But nothin’!” Alexei interrupted, throwing open the door. They stepped into the Yegorov’s living room. Hayden was lying on their shoddy couch, his head dangling upside-down over the edge. “Get your shoes on, honey,” Gwen directed, and the child rolled off the edge of the sofa. “You’re not gonna regret this, Ru,” Alexei assured, opening the front door and leading his friend out. Ru’s house was directly across the street, and they crossed the dirt path. Hayden hurried after them, his untied shoelaces snapping around wildly. Gwen stayed behind, watching them through a window. Ru gripped the knob to his blue front door. He hesitated a moment before opening it, then stepped inside. Alexei and Hayden followed, closing the door behind them. “Nat?” Ru called delicately, moving down the hall, “Nat, honey?” He stopped in front of the door to her room and gently rapped on the wooden surface. The door flew open, and a tiny mess of hair and limbs sprung out to collide with the man. “Daddy!” The little girl yelled, burying her face in his stomach as she fiercely hugged him around the legs, “You’re so early!” Ru glanced to their guests and muttered, “Well, I was with the Yegorovs today. I…have a surprise for you.” The girl pulled her head back from her father’s belly and saw the pair of Yegorovs standing next to them. Her blue eyes locked with Hayden’s, widening with shock and delight.[/i]